Florida Building Code Advanced Training: Termites · Termite (Isoptera) Ant (Hymenoptera) Termite vs. Ant Swarmers A Source of Common Confusion. Colony Dynamics (castes) • Three

Florida Building Code

Advanced Training: Termites

Florida Building Commission

Department of Community Affairs

2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard

Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100

(850) 487-1824

http://www.floridabuilding.org

Florida Department of

Agriculture and Consumer

Services

Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control

1203 Governor's Square Blvd., Ste. 300

Tallahassee, FL 32301-2961

(850) 921-4177

http://www.floridatermitehelp.org

ContributorsContributors

Dr. Faith Oi, Dr. Phil Koehler, Larry

Jacobs, Thomas Powell, Cynthia Tucker,

Dept. of Entomology and Nematology

University of Florida,

Florida Pest Management Association,

and Florida Pest Control, Gainesville

Dr. Kathleen Ruppert, Univ. of FL

Dr. Faith Oi, Dr. Phil Koehler, Larry Dr. Faith Oi, Dr. Phil Koehler, Larry

Jacobs, Thomas Powell, Cynthia Tucker, Jacobs, Thomas Powell, Cynthia Tucker,

Dept. of Entomology and NematologyDept. of Entomology and Nematology

University of Florida,University of Florida,

Florida Pest Management Association,Florida Pest Management Association,

and Florida Pest Control, Gainesvilleand Florida Pest Control, Gainesville

Dr. Kathleen Ruppert, Univ. of FLDr. Kathleen Ruppert, Univ. of FL

Termite(Isoptera)

Ant(Hymenoptera)

Termite vs. Ant SwarmersA Source of Common Confusion

Colony Dynamics (castes)

• Three castes:

� Worker

� Reproductives

� Primary

� Secondary

� Soldier

Workers

• Feed queen and king

• Feed the soldiers

• Brood care

• Cause wood damage

Reproductives & Alates

Soldiers

Wood Damage & Fecal Pellets

(Drywood termites)

Subterranean

Termites

Drywood

Termites

Eastern Subterranean Termites

• Feed in the soft portion of the wood

• Create galleries

• Feed on anything containing cellulose

• An active colony can consume one pound of wood per day

Mud Tubes

• Entry into buildings

• Protection from

� Desiccation

� Predators

Subterranean Termites

Mud tubes connect colonyin soil with wood in structure

• Nest in soil (generally)

• Colonies range in size from a few

thousand up to 10 million termites

Cracks in foundation

Why include

termite-related sections in the

Florida Building Code?

DamageInfested with Termites

St. Johns County Survey of five-year-old houses

Heavy

damage

21%

Why is subterranean termite

control so important now?

• Before 1988 chlordane, heptachlor, and aldrin

were used as barriers and lasted over 30 years

• After 1988 (post chlorinated hydrocarbon era)

repellent termiticides replaced old chemistries

• Termiticides are now required to provide 5

years of 100% protection…when applied at

the labeled rate

The IdealIdeal Situation

Barrier free from gaps

Reality

Barrier with gaps

1816 Termite Protection

1816.1. Requires the following:

• all buildings have pre-construction treatment

protection against subterranean termites;

• the rules and laws of the Florida Department of

Agriculture and Consumer Services apply to pre-

construction soil treatment;

• a Certificate of Compliance—containing specific

language—is issued to the building department by

the licensed pest control company

105 Permits

� Product used

� Applicator

� Treatment time and date

� Site location

� Area treated

� Chemical used

� Concentration

� Gallons used

105.10 Certificate of Protective Treatment for Prevention of Termites

• Requires a weather-resistant board on the jobsite for posting of Termite Treatment Certificates

• Certificate must include:

• The final exterior treatment applies only to cases where a

soil chemical barrier method is used

1816 Termite Protection1816.1 Termite Protection. Termite protection shall be

provided by registered termiticides, including soil applied pesticides, baiting systems, and pesticides applied to wood, or other approved methods of termite protection labeled for use as a preventative treatment to new construction. See §202, REGISTERED TERMITICIDE. Upon completion of the application of the termite protective treatment, a Certificate of Compliance shall be issued to the building department by the licensed pest control company that contains the following statement: "The building has received a complete treatment for the prevention of subterranean termites. Treatment is in accordance with rules and laws established by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services."

2304 Construction Requirements

2304.13 Preparation of building site and removal of debris

• 2304.13.1 Building sites shall be graded to provide drainage under all portions of the building not occupied by basements

• 2304.13.2 The foundation and area within 1 ft must have all vegetation, stumps, dead roots, cardboard, trash, and foreign material removed. Any fill material must be free of vegetation and foreign material, as well.

2304 Construction Requirements

2304.13 Preparation of building site and removal of debris

• 2304.13.3 Lists items that must be removed under and within 1 foot of building

� 2304.11.10.1 Materials of naturally durable wood—or pressure treated for ground contact—with at least a 6 inch space for inspection and treatment, are excepted

• 2304.13.4 Prohibits burying of construction and other materials within 15 feet of any building

Wood left on

the ground

Termite swarmers

at certain times

of the year

2304.11 Protection Against

Decay and Termites

2304.11.1 If protection of wood members is

required by this section, it must be by using

naturally durable or preservative-treated wood.

• 2302.1 Definitions: “naturally durable wood” refers to the

heartwood of the following species

� Decay resistant: Redwood, Cedars, Black Locust

� Termite resistant: Redwood, Eastern Red Cedar

• an occasional piece with corner sapwood may be included if

90% or more of the width on each side of it is heartwood

• 2302.1 PRESERVATIVE-TREATED WOOD. The expression “preservative treated wood”refers to Wood (including plywood) pressure treated with preservatives in accordance with Section 2303.1.8.

• 2304.11.2 through 2304.11.6 Wood subject to damage from both decay and termites shall be: a naturally durable species resistant to termites or preservative-treated


Decay and Termites

109 Inspections

109.3.4 Termites• Building components and surroundings that must

be protected from termite damage:

� in accordance with 1503.6, Section 2304.13, Section 2304.11.6 or

� specifically required to be inspected for termites in accordance with 2114, or

� required to have chemical soil treatment in accordance with 1816

• shall not be covered or concealed until released by the building official


1816.1.1 – 1816.1.2 Include requirements that

if soil treatment is used:

• Initial treatment inside the foundation perimeter

shall be done

� after all excavation, backfilling, and compaction, and

� any soil area disturbed after the initial treatment shall

be retreated, including spaces boxed or formed


1816.1.4 If soil treatment is used, requires:

• a minimum 6 mil vapor retarder to protect against

rainfall dilution

• retreatment if rainfall occurs before vapor retarder

placement

• that any work—including placement of reinforcing

steel—done after chemical treatment until the

concrete floor is poured, be done to avoid penetrating

or disturbing treated soil

The 6-mil vapor retarder aids in avoiding

displacement of the chemical termiticide.

Use care not to create any holes in the material…


1816.1.3 If soil treatment is used, requires:

• In concrete floors, spaces boxed out/formed

for installation of plumbing traps, drains or

any other purpose, must:

� Be of plastic or metal permanently-placed forms

� Be placed deep enough to eliminate any soil

disturbance after the initial chemical soil treatment


1816.2 Penetration

If soil treatment is used protective sleeves around

metallic piping penetrating concrete slab-on-grade

floors:

� Must not be made of cellulose-containing materials

� Must have a termiticide applied in the space between

the sleeve and the pipe

2114 Termite Inspection

2114.1 Includes removal of all non-

preservative treated on or non-naturally

durable wood or other cellulose-containing

material in cells and cavities in masonry

units and air gaps between brick, stone or

masonry veneers and the structure prior to

concrete placement

2114 Termite Inspection

2114.2 Brick, stone, or other veneer must be supported by a

concrete bearing ledge at least equal to the total

thickness of the brick, stone or other veneer, which is

poured integrally with the concrete foundation.

� No hidden cold joints are permitted without a supplemental

treatment in the foundation, unless there is an approved

physical barrier.

� An approved physical barrier must also be installed from below

the wall sill plate or the first block course to horizontally

embed in a mortar joint.

� If masonry veneer extends below grade and there is no physical

barrier, a treatment must be applied to the cavity created

between the veneer and the foundation.


Decay and Termites

2304.11.2.3 Sleepers, sills and sole plates on a

concrete or masonry slab, which is in direct contact with earth, must be made of approved naturally durable or preservative-treated wood.

• 2304.11.4.2 Wood structural members supporting moisture- permeable floors or roofs which are exposed to the weather—such as concrete or masonry slabs—must be approved naturally durable wood or preservative-treated wood unless separated from the floors or roofs by an approved impervious moisture barrier.

Hidden subterranean termite damage


Decay and Termites

2304.11.2.4 Girder Ends

• Ends of wood girders entering exterior masonry or concrete walls must be: � provided with ½ inch (12.7 mm) air space on tops, sides, and ends, unless

� made of approved naturally durable or preservative-treated wood.

• 2304.11.2.2 Wood furring strips, or other wood framing members, attached directly to the interior of exterior masonry or concrete walls below grade must be made of approved naturally durable or preservative-treated wood.

1403 Performance Requirements

1403.8 There must be a clearance of at least 6

inches (152 mm) between exterior wall

coverings and final earth grade on the

exterior of a building to allow for inspection

of termite infestation.

Exceptions listed on next slide

1403 Performance Requirements

1403.8 (cont'd)Exceptions:

1. paint or decorative cementitious finish less than 5/8 inch thick adhered directly to the masonry foundation sidewall

2. access or vehicle ramps which rise to the interior finish floor elevation for only the width of the ramp

3. a 4-inch inspection space above patio and garage slabs and entry areas

4. if the patio has been soil treated for termites, the finish elevation may match the building interior finish floor elevations on masonry construction only

5. masonry veneers


Decay and Termites

2304.11.2.5 There must be clearance on the

exterior of a building between the wood

siding and the earth of at least 6 inches (152

mm), except where siding, sheathing and

wall framing are made of preservative-

treated or naturally durable wood.

Wood and siding (on right)

in contact with soil

Mud tubes

2304.11.10 Foam Plastic Insulation

• 2304.11.10.1 The provisions of Section 2603. 9 shall apply to the installation of foam plastic insulation in close proximity to the ground.

• Exception: Materials which are of naturally durable wood or are pressure treated for ground contact, and which are installed with at least 6 inches (152 mm) clear space from the structure to allow for inspection and treatment for termites.

• In order to reduce chances of termite infestation, no wood, vegetation, stumps, dead roots, cardboard, trash, or other cellulose-containing material shall be buried on the building lot within 15 feet (4.6 m) of any building or the position of any building proposed to be built.

2603.9 Protection from termite damage

2603.9.2 Clearance between earth and foam

plastics applied to the exterior wall must be

at least 6 inches (152 mm).

2603 Foam Plastic Insulation


• 2603.9.1 Foam plastic insulation—

including, but not limited to extruded or

expanded polystyrene or

polyisocyanurate—cannot be installed

below grade on foundation walls or the

exterior of slab foundations.

Exceptions listed on next slide


2603.9.1 (cont'd):

Exceptions

1. When—in addition to the requirements of

2304.11.6—an approved method is

provided of protecting the foam plastic and

structure from subterranean termite damage

2. Within Types I, or II-B, construction.

3. On the interior side of basement walls.

1503 Weather Protection

1503.6 Protection against decay and termites

• Condensate lines and roof downspouts must discharge at least 1 foot (305 mm) away from the structure sidewall.

• All buildings with eaves of less than 6 inches horizontal projection—except for gable end rakes, or on a roof above another roof—are required to have gutters with downspouts.

• FBC, Plumbing 316.1 Irrigation/sprinkler systems and risers for spray heads cannot be installed within 1 foot of the building sidewall.


1816.1.5 – 1816.1.6 Includes requirements that if soil treatment is used:

• concrete overpour or mortar accumulated along the exterior foundation perimeter must be removed prior to exterior chemical soil treatment

• chemical soil treatments must also be applied under all exterior concrete or grade within one (1) foot of the primary structure sidewalls

• also, a vertical chemical barrier must be applied promptly after construction is completed, including initial landscaping and irrigation/sprinkler installation

• any soil disturbed after the chemical vertical barrier is applied must be promptly retreated.


Decay and Termites

2304.11.4.3 (Wood) Decks, fences, patios, planters, or other wooden building components that directly abut the sidewall of the foundation or structure must be constructed with:

• 18 inch (457 mm) clearance beneath or,

• 6 inch (152 mm) clearance between the top of the component and the exterior wall covering or,

• components that are easily removable by screws or hinges to allow access for inspection of the foundation sidewall and treatment for termites.

105 Permits

105.11 Notice of termite protection

A permanent sign with the name of termite

treatment provider and the need for re-inspection

and contract renewal must be posted near the

water heater or electric panel.

Special Situations

• Crawl spaces

• Wood in retaining or crib walls

• One story buildings under 400 sq ft

• Wood quality and use issues

• High velocity hurricane zones


Decay and Termites

2304.11.2.2 Framing

All wood framing and sheathing

� less than 8 inches (203 mm) from exposed earth in

exterior walls

� that rests on preservative-treated wood, concrete or

masonry foundations

must be made of approved naturally durable or

preservative-treated wood.


Decay and Termites

2304.11.2.1 Joists, girders and subfloor

• Where wood joists or the bottom of a wood structural floor without joists are closer than 18 inches (457 mm),

• or wood girders are closer than 12 inches (305 mm) to the exposed ground in crawl spaces

• or unexcavated areas located within the perimeter of the building foundation,

• the floor assembly (including posts, girders, joists and subfloor) shall be of naturally durable or preservative-treated wood.


Decay and Termites

2304.11.4.1 Posts or columns supporting

permanent structures that are embedded in

concrete in direct contact with the earth or

embedded in concrete exposed to weather,

or in direct contact with the earth, shall be

of preservative-treated wood.


Decay and Termites

2304.11.7 Wood used in retaining or crib walls

• Shall be of preservative-treated wood treated

in accordance with AWPA C2 or C9 for soil

and fresh water contact

2303.1.8.1 Identification

2301.4.6 Wood required by 2304.11 to be

preservative-treated must bear the quality mark of

an approved inspection agency. This mark must

include the following information:

� Identification of the treating manufacturer

� The type of preservative used

� The minimum preservation retention (pcf)

� The end use for which the product is treated

� The AWPA standard to which the product was treated

� The name of the accredited inspection agency


Decay and Termites

2304.11.5 Naturally durable or preservative-

treated wood must be used for wooden

structural supports of buildings when the

supports are exposed to the weather without

protection (by a roof or other covering) from

moisture or water accumulation on the surface

or at joints.


Decay and Termites

2304.11.4 Wood in contact with ground or below

ground level which supports permanent structures

must be approved preservative-treated wood

suitable for ground contact use.

Exceptions:

Wood not preservative-treated used for supports when:

� entirely below ground water level or

� continuously submerged in fresh water


Decay and Termites

2304.11.4.1 All posts, poles, and columns

supporting permanent structures, and

embedded in concrete which is in contact

with ground, shall be approved

preservative-treated wood


Decay and Termites

• 2304.11.2.6 Posts or columns.

• Posts or columns supporting permanent

structures and supported by a concrete or

• masonry slab or footing that is in direct contact

with the earth shall be of naturally durable or

preservative-treated wood.

• Exceptions continued next slide:

2304.11.2.6 Post or Columns

Exceptions

• 1. Posts or columns that are either exposed to the weather or located in basements or cellars, supported by concrete piers or metal pedestals projected at least 1 inch (25 mm) above the slab or deck and 6 inches (152 mm) above exposed earth, and are separated there from by an impervious moisture barrier.

• 2. Posts or columns in enclosed crawl spaces or unexcavated areas located within the periphery of the building, supported by a concrete pier or metal pedestal at a height greater than 8 inches (203 mm) from exposed ground, and are separated there from by an impervious moisture barrier.”


Decay and Termites

2304.11.3 If the structural supports of a

building are made of glued laminated

timbers, which are exposed to weather

without protection, they must be made of

preservative-treated or naturally durable

wood.

1820 High Velocity Hurricane

Zones—Concrete Slabs on Fill

1820.2 and 1820.5

• All fill placed under slabs must be clean

sand or rock, free of debris. Max size of

rock within 12” below slab is 3”

• Fill must be thoroughly compacted

Subterranean Termite Treatment

Methods and Practices

• Soil treatment with residual termiticides

• Installation of termite colony monitoring

and baiting systems

• Treatment of structural wood with borate-

containing compounds

• Installation of physical barriers to termite

infestation

Documents

Florida Building Code Advanced Training: Termites · Termite (Isoptera) Ant (Hymenoptera) Termite vs. Ant Swarmers A Source of Common Confusion. Colony Dynamics (castes) • Three